Lawn rake



F. c.- B ELL Ei- AL LAWN RAKE Feb. 24, 1931. Re. 17,980

Original Filed Dec. 14. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mil [#70196 FRED c BELL xs/mua GKELLY drrn F. C. BELL ET AL LAWN RAKE Feb. 24, 1931. Re. 17,980

- Original Filed Dec. 14. 1921 wxmg 56 m v E 4 m NW 4 QM mw ARK Q 5 method of securing the wires which are inter vention, and

Reissued Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED C. BELL AND SAMUEL SKELLY, or ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS, IB'! MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 AMERICAN ronx & HOE COMPANY, 017 CLEVELAND,

OHIO

Original No. 1,699,947, dated January 22, 1929, Serial No. 522,277, filed. December 14, 1921. Reissue No.

, LAW RAKE 17,810, dated September'23, 1930, Serial No. 409 165, filed November 22,1929. This application for reissue filed December 3, 1930. Serial No. 499,822.

Thisi'nvention relates to an all metal rake,

and particularly to that type which is em ployed for garden work, lawns and the like.

Objects of the present invention are to generally improve and simplify rakes of the character described, to provide a rake constructed throughout of spring steel, sheet metal stampings, and wire or the like; to provide a rake in which the teeth or tines are resilientlyfiexible and so supported and secured that they may. be individually removed and replaced when broken or worn; to provide a rake, the several parts of which may berapidly and readily assembled during the manufacture thereof; further a rake which is resiliently flexible as a whole to permit it to conform with the contour of the surface being raked.

Other objects will hereinafter appear. The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination. and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the rake.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2.-2 of Fig. 1. 1

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of-the tines. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of oneiofithe spacing block Fig. 5 is a plan view of the rake head showing the tines and spacing blocks removed.

Fig; 6 is a detailed bottom view of the rake. v

Fig. 7 .isa perspective view showing the posed between the head of the rake and the handle socket. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the outer end of one of the wire arms. 3, showing notch 17 formed therein.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of one section of a clamp used in connection with our in- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the counterpart of the section shown in Figure 9.

lieferring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 5, the head of'the rake generally considered includes the head The clamps 6, 7, 8 and 9, are, practically speaking, identical in construction. They are formed of sheet metal stamps and each clamp consists of two sections 10 and 11, as shown in Fig. 7. The section 11 consists of a top section 12, a pair of side sections 13, which are perforated at each end, as at 14, to permit the-rods 4 and 5 to pass therethrough, and a clamping section 15 which embraces an extension 16 formed onthe section 10.

The section 10 is platelike in formation and is provided with a central longitudinally extending raised portion 3a to receive the arm 3. The plate 10 is also provided with two crosswise extending portions 4a and 5a which are adapted to align with the perforations 14 to receive and secured the wires 4 and 5. The sections 10 and 11 are assembled by placing the plate'lO interiorly of the member 11 between the side flanges 13.

An exterior lip 12a is formed on the section 12. This is bent over the plate 10 and the sections 15 are bent over the extensions 16. The members 10 and 11 are thus assembled with relation to each other and the wires or rods 3, 4 and 5 become clamped between the same and are rigidly secured.

. -Each clamp serves three functions: .first 1, and 7 and the sections 10 and 11 are then 7 clamped with relation to each other by the ment. The clamping sections also form a 1 at C.

' particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

and as such assume I a horizontal third function, to-Wit, that of a spacer. Other spacing members are however required for the purpose of maintaining a fixed separation between theltimes generally indicated at B, and such spacers are shown in Figs. 1 and 6, but particularlyin Fig. 4. The intermediate spacers disposed between the clamping sections 6, 7;, 8 and 9, are generally indicated By referring to Fig.4, it will be seen that each spacer consists of a top section 18, downwardly turned side sections 19, and a project7 ing bearing lug 20, that is a bearing lug 20 is formed on each side section .19 and its function will be hereinafter described. Each spacin member C-is also perforated at opposite ends as indicated at 21, to permit the wire rods-4 and 5 to extend therethrough. The tines generally indicated at B are more Each tine is constructed of fiat spring steel and consists of a horizontal section 22, an angular section 23, and a hooked end section 24, which together with the hump 25 formed on the horizontal section 22, serves as an interlocking mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The handle socket 2 in this instance is referably constructed of sheet' metal. ft is formed of two sections which are riveted, seamed or otherwise interlocked or secured with relation to each other. The metal forming the" handle socket isextendednear the lower end, as shown at 30, and is recessed to receive the spring arms 3, that is there are two spring arms employed, each 'one being looped topass between the flattened exten-. sions 30 and to be clampedtherebetween.

The. clamps 6 7, 8 and 9, are next applied, as shownin Fi 5. A suitable number of spacing blocks (ii are then placed between the clamps and the whole of them are then assembled by inserting the wire rods 4 and 5, which are secured by riveting or bending the outer ends as indicated at 32. The rake thusassembled is ready to receive the tines B,

which may be inserted one by one. They are inserted between the clamps 6, 7, 8 and 9, and the spacing blocks C, as shown in Fig. 1, osition with relation to the rods 4 and 5 and t e spacing blocks; The outer ends of the tines however assume an angular position as indicated at 23 and these are the points that engage the lawn or surface to be raked.

When inserting the tines, it is accomplished by passing the angular end 23 under the rod 5, see Fig. 2,'then over the supporting lug 20 and finally under the wire rod 4. The whole tine is then forced'in a forward direction until the position is assumed, as

shown m. Fig. 2. At this point the hook 24 will engage the rod 5 and the hump 25 will engagethe opposite side of the rod. An interlock is thus formed between each tine and i from the spacing blocks in a rearwardly direction and a newtine placed in its position.

The ably constructed of flat spring steel and as such is the case it can readily be seen that the interlock formed is spring actuated, and as such automatically and normally maintains a dependable lock which insures against endwise removal of the teeth, except when itis intentionally desired to do so.

The rake illustrated )in the present instance is articularly intended for lawn work and the ike; for instance to remove leaves, paper, straw, sticks, etc., and as such is the case flexibility and gathering action form important features. Flexibility is obtained laterally, due to the fact that the head portion of the rake consists of wire rods 4 and 5, which may bend and yield toa considerable extent, and it is further due to the fact'that these rods are connected or secured with relation to the handle socket by means of the flexible spring or re arms 3.

Further flexibility is obtained by constructing the tines of flat spring steel and bending .and supporting the same individually as described, that is each tooth or tine ca yield with relation to the surface traversed and it can therefore be seen that practically any degree of flexibility may be Ob? tained. Gathering action is obtained by arcing or curving the head or rods 4 and 5, as 5 shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and spreading of the leaves or other material handled is thus avoided.

, Besides flexibility 'to permit the rake to conform to contours of varying formation while raking, it is obvious that many other important features are involved, for instance economy in manufacture is obtained by constructing the rake of metal throughout, and by providing parts which can be cheaply tines as previously stated are preferlan manufactured and quickly and readily assembled.

Other important features are a three point support for each individual tooth, as shown in Fig. 2, and a spring actuated interlock for each individual tooth or tine, which secures the teeth during-the normal functioning of the rake, and at the same time per- \mits removal of the teeth "when worn or normal to the fiat surface of the tine to a sufficient degree that breakage of the tines at the most forward point of contact with the head is very greatly reducedf A. three point support is readily formed by projecting the sides of the spacing blocks C, as indicated at 20, that is the spacing blocks are first of all interspaced by these projectinglugs, and a central support is at the same time provided for each tine, as shown at 20, in Fig. 2, the strain or load of which is distributed to two spacing blocks, one on each side of the tine as one-half of a bearing lug is presented by one spacing'block, and the other one-half of the support by the adjoining spacingblock. This is perhaps most clearly illustrated by the partial bottom view shown in Fig. 6.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically .illustrated, we Wish it understood that various changes in form andproportion may be re sorted to Within the scope of the appended claims, similarly that the materials and finish of the several parts employedmay be such as the experience and udgment of the manu-' facturer may dictate or varying uses may demand. Also in the claims we sometimes, for convenience, refer to horizontal and vertical directions, and it will be understood that in such references we are considering that the rake is laid upon a flat surface with the handle and the down-turned tips of the tines in engagement with such .surface, and thatwhe're we refer to planes we do not intend that such a term shall be construed with mathematical exactness, but only use the term in a general sense.

Having thus described our invention, what.

i we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is e s 1. A rake comprising a head member, aplurality of flat spring steel tines independently and detachably mounted on said head member, a hump shaped yieldin member for each tine, and means on the ra e head with which the hump shaped yielding members are adapted to interlock, said means normally securing the tines to the head member and permitting saidtines to be manually removed endwise from the head.

2. In a rake of the character described a head member, a plurality of flat spring steel tines carried thereby, said head member forming a three-point support for each tine relative to which the tines are endwise mov able, a spring actuated locking member, on

-point support for each tine relative to which the tines are endwise movable and a yielding member on each tine engageable with one of the supports and securing the tines'against endwise removal.

4. In' a rake of the character described, an elongated head, said head being flexible in a vertical plane, a rake handle, flexible arms disposed between the handle. and the rake head to flexibly support the head, a plurality of flat narrow spring steel tines secured to the head and also flexible in a vertical direction, said tines being disposed on planes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rake handle and the forward end of each tine being bent downwardly at an angle to said longitudinal axis.

5. In a rake of the character des ibed, a head member comprising a pair f interspaced parallel rods, a plurality of inter spaced spacing blocks, carried by the rods, a tine disposed between each spacing block, a supporting lug on each spacing block, forcing each tine upwardly against the rods, and

an interlocking member on each tine engage-' able with one of the rods.

6. In a rake of the character described, a head member comprising a pair of interspaced parallel flexible wire rods, a plurality of clamping members supporting the rods and maintaining the spacing between the same, flexible arms attached to theclamping members and forming a flexible support for the wire rods and the clamping members, a plurality of spacing blocks supported by the wire rods intermediate the clamping members, a plurality oftines disposed between the spacing blocks and'the clamping members and supporting lugs formed on the sides of the spacing blocks and the clamps, said lugs, together with the rods, forming a three point support for each tine, and an interlocking member on each tine engageable with one of the rods.

7. In a rake of the character described, a tine consisting of a flat, narrow, thin strip of spring metal, the main portion of each tine presenting a horizontal position, the fort a x ward end of each tine being bent downwardly at an angle thereto, a hump formed at the opposite end 'of the horizontal portion of the tine, and a hook like portion forming a continuation of the hump.

8. In a rake of the character described, a spacing blockconsisting of a channel shaped section of metal, the channel sides bf each block being perforated at each end, and a bearing lug formed on each side of the channel member.

9. In a rake of the character described, a head member comprisinga pair of interspaced wire rods, said rods being bent to form a curve on a horizontal plane, and said rods being flexible on a vertical plane, a plurality of tines secured to said wire rods and flexible on a vertical plane, flexible arms attached to the wire rods to flexibly support the rods andtines, and a handle to which the opposite ends of the flexible arms are attached.

10. In a rake of the character described, an elongated head, said head being bent to form a curve on a horizontal plane and said head being flexible to avertical plane, a rake handle, flexible arms disposed between the banle and the rake head to flexibly support said ead, a plurality of tines secured to said head and also flexible in a vertical plane, and said tines being disposed on planes substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis drawn through the rake handle.

11. In a rake of the'character described, a head member, a plurality of substantially narrow flat resilient tines carried thereby, said head member providing a pair of trans versely extending interspaced tine supports, and means interconnecting said supports, each of said tines having one of, its ends formed to make a hook engagement with-the rearmost of said supports to restrain endwise removal of the tines, the foremost of said supports engageable with each tine to, make reenforcing engagement therewith, and to form a fulcrum upon which said tines inay rock when the tip ends thereof m'ake pressure engagementwiththe ground, each of said tines having a portion disposed to the rear of said foremost support which is spaced from adjacent portions of the head to permit flexing movement during such rocking'oporation. v

12. In a rake of the character described, a head' member, a plurality of substantially narrow flat, resilient tines carried thereby, said head member providing a pair of trans versely extending 1nterspaced tine supports, and means interconnecting said supports, each of said tines having a portion adjacent one of its ends formed to make a hook engagement with one of said supports to restrain endwise removal of the tines, the other of said supports engageable with each tine to make reenforcing engagement therewith,

and to form a fulcrum upon which said tines may rock when the tip ends thereof make pressure engagement with the ground, each terspaced tine supports, and means interconnecting said supports, each of said tineshav- -ing one of its ends formed to hookingly engage with rearmost of said supports to restrain endwise removal of the tines, the foremost of said supports engageable with each tine to make reenforcing engagement therewith, said tines restrained from rotational movement by engagement of their flat surfaces with said supports.

14. In a rake ofthe character described, a head member, a plurality of flat spring steel tines carried thereby, said head member pro viding a. pair of transversely extending interspaced tine supports, and means interconnecting'said supports, each of said tines having one of its ends formed into substantially the form of a hook to make substantially hooking engagement with the one of said supports to 'restrain endwise removal of the tines, the other of said supports engageable with each tine to make reenforcing engagement therewith, said tines restrained from rotational movement by engagement of their flat surfaces with said supports.

15. In a rake of the character described, a head member, a plurality of tines carried thereby, said head member providing a pair of transversely extending interspaced tine gageable with each tine at a point longitudinally spaced from its rear end to make reenforcing en agement therewith, said tine terminating 1n a deflected ortion making interlocking engagement w' h the rearmost of said supports to restrain endwise removal of the tines, said rearmost support cooperating with said foremost support to hold the supported ends of'the tines normally in an approximately horizontal plane relative to each other, and resiliently yieldable connecting means solely interconnecting both of said supports with the rake handle.

16. In a rake of the character described, a head member,- a plurality of resilient tines carried thereby, said head member providing a pair of transversely extending interspaced tine supports, and means intercon cting said supports, each of said tines comp 'sing a laterally deflected portion engageable with. one of said supports to restrain endwise removal of the tines, theother of said supports engageable witheach tine to make reenforc- I head providing a pair of transversely extendeffect of manually exerted pressure on the deflected portion of the tine to effect disengagement therebetween and the support adapted to be engaged thereby.

17 In a rake, the combination with a rake ing interspaced tine supports, of a plurality of spring tines carried thereby, each of said spring tines engageable with both of said supports, means for said head disposed intermediate said supports engageable with each of said tines and retaining the tines on the head by the effect of the inherent resili ency of the spring material of the tines reacting against the engaged portions of said head, including at least one of said supports.

18. In a rake, a transversely extending head therefor having pairs of longitudinally disposed restricted openings therethrough, a plurality of tines carried by the head, each of said tines being of flat narrow thin strip spring metal, comprising a substantially straight intermediate portion, a ground engaging tip portion extending substantially angularly therefrom, and an end adapted for insertion in a rake head, comprising longitudinally spaced relatively bended portions projected through said restricted openings of said head and being of such form as to engage with surfaceportions thereof to resist endwise removal of the tine therefrom.

19. A rake comprising a head, a plurality of spring steel tines each of which providing a single prong and is independently and detachably mounted therein, said head member comprising spaced portions engaging said tines to resiliently deflect the same, saidtines and head being retained in interlocking engagement by the inherent resiliency of the metal of the tine, reacting against the deforming pressure of the said head portions.

20. A rake comprising a head, a plurality of spring steel tines each of which providing a single prong and is independently and detachably mounted therein, said head member comprising spaced portions engaging the same side of each of said tines, and a third portion engaging the other side of each of said tines 'to resiliently deflect the same, said tines and head being retained in interlocking engagement by the inherent resiliency of the metal of the tine, reacting against the de forming pressure of the said head portions.

21'. In a rake of the character described, a head member, a plurality of flat spring steel tines carried thereby, each consisting of a single rake prong, said head member providing a pair of transversely extending spaced tine supports, means interconnecting said supports and means to connect at least one of said supports to a rake handle,each of said tines having an off-set portion adapted to interlock with one of said supports to restrain end-wise removal of the tine relative to thesupport, each of the tines restrained from rotationalmovement by contacting engagement of a flat side surface of the tine with one of said supports.

22. In a rake of the character described, in combination with a handle thereof, a resiliently flexible head extending longitudinally beyond an end of the handle, a plurality of resiliently flexible flat narrow spring steel tine elements secured to the head, said tine elements extending forwardly from the head in substantially parallel relation to each other, and the forward ends of said tine elements being bent substantially alike at a sub stantially obtuse angle to the supporting portion of the tine elements, and resilient supporting means extending from said handle end forming the sole support for said head, and supporting means therefor adapted to resiliently yield during use of the rake to maintain contact between the different tine elements and the ground throughout a considerable range of angularly different positions of said handle.

23. In a rake of thecharacter described, in combination with a handle therefor, a head member proper comprising a pair of interspaced transversely extending tine supports, one disposed in advance of the other, at least the forward one of said supports being bowed arcuately with the intermediate portion disposed more forwardly than the end portions,

a plurality of substantially flat resiliently flexible metal tine elements secured tothe said head member and engaging both of said supports, one of said supports engaging each of said tine elements so as to normally prevent its removal from the other support, substantially resilient arms forming the sole'support for said head member proper and the tine elements carried thereon, extending between said supports and the end of the handle and secured thereto, said tine elements so positioned on the head and relative to said supports as to provide limite portions'of the tine elements disposed i mediately to the rear of the foremost of said supports, which are resiliently yieldab-le'in a direction substantially normal to the flat surfaces of said tine elements during use of the rake, said tine elements adapted to make fulcruming contact with said foremost support.

24. In a rake of the character described, a head member, a plurality of fiat resilient tine elements each consisting of a single rake prong secured thereto and carried thereby, said head member providing a pair of transand means interconnecting said supports,

each of said tine elements comprising a portion. interlocked with one of said supports to I restrain endwise removal of the tine elements, the other ofsaid supports engageable with each tine element to make reenforcing engagement therewith each of said resilient tine elements being bodily and' individually i removable endwise from the supports by theeffect of manually exerted pressure distorting a portion of said tine element, each of said tine elements-having a portion of substantiallength disposed rearwardly of the foremost support, spaced from engagement with said head member, whereby flexure of the said spacedportion of said tine element may occur during use of the rake, wherein said tine rocks on the foremost support actingas a fulcrum. I

25. In \a rake of the character described, the combination of a handle therefor, a transversely extending head, means to secure the head onto the handle, a plurality of resiliently yieldable flat narrow spring steel tine elements secured to and supported by the head and extending forwardly therefrom in approximately parallel spaced relation, each of said tine elements consisting of a single prong only and each prong having its 25 free forward end bent substantially at an obtuse angle relative to the main supporting portion of the prong, said head formed to provide for each prong a pair of longitudinally spaced portions each engageable with a a0 flat surface of such prong, to restrain rotational movements of the prong in the head,

- each prong adapted to rock on a/ foremost of "said pair of head portions, acting as a fulcrum for the prong during use of the rake,

35 and the portion of each prong disposed immediately rearwardly of the said foremost head portion adapted to flex during .use'of the rake wherein said prong rocks on the foremost head portion.

26. In a. rake of the characterdescribed, the combination of a handle therefor, a transversely extending head and means'to secure the head to the handle, a plurality of re- *siliently yieldable flat narrow spring steel 45 tine elements extending forwardly from the head in approximately parallel spaced relation and havin their forward ends bent at a substantially o tuse angle to the supporting portion of the tine elements, said head con- 4 5o structed to support the tines in longitudinally spaced relation, and havin means for securing each tine thereto by a tl iree point contact.

In witness whereof, we hereunto aflix our signatures, this 25th day of November, 1930. -55 FRED C. BELL.

- SAMUEL SKELLY. I 

